Peace statue.....

....in Queen Elizabeth Park, Masterton.

The history of the Italian marble statue installed in Queen Elizabeth Park, Masterton, goes back to 1881 when Ngati Kahungunu prophet, Paora Potangaroa hosted a hui at Te Ore Ore, near Masterton, where he foretold of the coming of a church for Maori. 

In 1921 another hui was held at Te Ore Ore by the Rongokako Council where Potangaroa's flag flew again and peace between Maori and pakeha was discussed. Bishop of the Church of Seven Rules of Jehovah and Chairman of the Council, Taiawhio Te Tau claimed Potangaroa had prophesied the coming of his church. To mark the occasion a statue was erected and opened in a large ceremony attended by Te Tau, Masterton mayor O.N.C. Pragnell and many Maori and pakeha dignitaries. A covenant of peace between the races was placed within this statue. 

On 16 March 1961 a ceremony was held in Queen Elizabeth Park and the monument was opened to inspect the covenant inside which was damaged. It was repaired, reinserted and the statue resealed to be opened again on 16 March 2001, when descendants of the first Maori participants reaffirmed their commitment to peace.

Wairarapa remains 'the bloodless province', the only North Island area where no blood was shed between races.

Today the monument stands set back from the road with trees towering above it still in their winter attire, it's quiet and peaceful and certainly leaves one pondering over our history.

Monday....a day for thoughts and some pondering, light rain with clouds rolling through the sky, 15C while hubby and I were walking in the park. 

I'm glad I took the time to photograph this monument and then later the time to put some words together. The full monument is in my extras - quite a special one I think.

This is a backblip.....during the time emotions were high, low and everything inbetween, it was a huge task to sort and empty the house ready for sale, we got there asyoudo but some days I just couldn't blip, so here I am, quite a while later......